Another significant A320 endorsement by a leading low-cost carrier

The major order finalised today with Indonesia’s Lion Air brings another airline into the list of worldwide low-cost carriers that have selected Airbus’ A320 Family for their fast-paced, demanding operations.

Lion Air’s order for a total of 234 jetliners in the ceo (current engine option) and neo (new engine option) version places it as the fifth largest airline customer overall for the world's best-selling single-aisle product line. Deliveries of the A320ceo aircraft to this fast-growing Asian carrier will begin in 2014, followed by the A320/A321neo variants in 2018.

Asia has seen its low-cost carrier market grow by seven percent annually during the past 10 years, expanding from just over 100 routes in 2002 to nearly 800 today. Many of the region’s carriers in this segment already rely on Airbus’ A320 Family to succeed in the highly competitive marketplace, including AirAsia, AirAsia Japan, Air Asia Philippines, Thai AirAsia, AirAsia X, Air Busan, GoAir, IndiGo, Jetstar, Jetstar Asia, Jetstar Japan, Jetstar Pacific, Juneyao Airlines, Peach, Skymark Airlines, Thai Smile, Tiger Airways and Zest Airways.

A320 Family features that tailor these jetliners for low-cost carrier service include their wider cabin cross-section for increased onboard comfort, more rapid in-flight service and accelerated passenger loading/unloading; its proven high dispatch reliability; the rapid turnaround capability at airports; and facilitated baggage handling with large underfloor cargo holds.

For additional information on Lion Air’s order for the A320 Family, see the press release.